TAMPA, Fla. — Manny Banuelos’s initial reaction when he learned he required Tommy John surgery in May 2012 was not optimism. He was 21, the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect according to Baseball America, and he believed his professional baseball career, as he was on the cusp of playing in the major leagues for the sport’s most recognizable franchise, would never recover.

"When I got hurt, when I got my surgery, I thought my career was over," Banuelos said.

Nearly two years later, Banuelos has not pitched in a game since sustaining the injury. He only managed to pitch three simulated games last September. But his elbow, he says, feels as strong as it did in 2012 when he blew it out after 24 innings pitching for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. His major league debut, he believes, is soon.

"This is my year," the Mexican left-hander said.

Whether Banuelos is in the Bronx out of spring training or later in the summer is the question. Though unlikely, Banuelos is competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. He is also a candidate to be the second lefty out of the bullpen after Matt Thornton.

"I don’t mind if it’s out of the bullpen or as a starter," he said. "I can do both. I just want to be with the team, that’s all."

Banuelos’s next step is facing hitters and testing his velocity. Before surgery, he could touch 97 MPH on the radar gun, but he did not go beyond 94 MPH in September. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday and batting practice Wednesday.

"I feel like I have a chance at it," Banuelos said. "I feel ready and I feel strong, but I want to wait to be on a mound again because it’s been a long time since I pitched to major league hitters."

NOVA NOT TAKING SPOT FOR GRANTED

On paper, Ivan Nova is a lock as the Yankees’ No. 4 starter behind CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, and Masahiro Tanaka. But Nova was sent down to the minors last season and he isn’t taking his spot for granted even though he bounced back to conclude the campaign.

“I’m still in a competition,” Nova said. “Nothing is sure. I know that CC can be sure, Kuroda, Tanaka. I’m one of the young guys. I’ve got to be doing the best out there in the competition.”

Yankees manager Joe Girardi is more certain of Nova’s standing on the club.

“We expect Nova to be in our rotation, but I love that attitude,” Girardi said. “You have to perform. The bottom line is it’s a performance-based business, so you have to go out and perform, but I love that attitude.”